We pasture raise our poultry at A Rare Breed. This sometimes means free ranging, or even moveable large coops along the fencelines. They are protected by our livestock guardian dogs from predators such as hawks, bobcat and other local wildlife.
Our broilers are New Hampshire reds. We raise
these for layers too. Egg layers are raised from day one on organic
feed. Currently, we are looking for local sources of grains that are not
chemically treated and non GMO (genetically modified organisms), until then we
are purchasing Certified Organic Blue Seal Layer Pellets from a local mom and
pop feed store and local mill.
Our other layers are Barnevelders, a rarer breed that produces a dark rich
brown egg, Ameraucanas, another ALBC listed bird that delights with blue eggs, Delawares and Welsumers.
Why grass? Why not put our birds up in a coop? Free range and pastured chickens (when there is indeed pasture or bugs) produce more nutritious eggs. Tests have shown more Omega-3's, more vitamins, and more beta carotenes - MUCH more (Mother Earth News ).
EGGS
Go to our market page for egg purchases
BROILERS
Our current project will be crossing our heritage New
Hampshire Reds with purebred Delawares from Whitmore Farms
. We hope to offer broilers (conventionally grown) in the fall. Currently, there are no USDA processors within a reasonable distance from the farm, so
we are limited to on-farm processed availability.
TURKEY
New Jersey Buff Turkeys were added in 2007. We are concentrating on breeding stock only - if you
are interested in heritage, pasture grown birds for
your holiday table,
we recommend Whitmore Farms or Legacy Manor.
OTHER FEATHERED FRIENDS
We also have a small gaggle of American Buff Geese and a guinea flock, these birds help us keep our tick population at bay, reduce the snail and slugs that can carry meningeal worm to our ruminants, and sometimes even mow the lawn.
Poultry are a wonderful way to start producing your own food at home. They are relatively inexpensive to purchase, feed, and provide you with
eggs and meat. A Rare Breed has put together a list of books we find good resources for raising poultry.
Chicken Tractor: The Permaculture Guide to Happy Hens and Healthy Soil
Day Range Poultry: Every Chicken Owner's Guide to Grazing Gardens and Improving Pastures
Anyone Can Build a Tub-Style Mechanical Chicken Plucker
Chickens In Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide
Pastured Poultry Profits
Feeding Poultry: The Classic Guide to Poultry Nutrition for Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks, Geese, Gamebirds, and Pigeons
